Behavioral Health Therapist (LMHC, LMSW, LPCC, LCSW)

Description

Wellness Equity Alliance (WEA) is a novel national public health organization comprised of a multidisciplinary team of population and public health experts with backgrounds in infectious disease, public health, emergency medicine, primary care, cardiology, pediatrics, psychiatry, community health work (CHW), nursing, and advanced practice pharmacy. We work nearly exclusively with underrepresented communities, fundamentally addressing healthcare disparities and the social determinants of health (SDoH) that have been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing the following:

• People experiencing homelessness
• Indigenous communities
• Immigrant communities
• Rural communities
• BIPOC communities
• LGBTQIA communities
• Justice-impacted communities
  
  

The WEA team is diverse, inclusive, and agile enough to assemble teams of healthcare professionals within days using our proven local staff recruitment models to address population health crises and infectious disease outbreaks. The WEA team’s collaborative partnership model allows hospitals, health jurisdictions, and state/local government agencies to provide timely care using equity-based strategies for individuals and marginalized communities.

Position Overview

Wellness Equity Alliance (WEA) is seeking a compassionate and skilled Behavioral Health Provider (LMHC, LMSW, LPCC, LCSW, or LMFT) to deliver direct therapeutic services as part of our Addiction Treatment Program (ATP) inside the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC). This role focuses exclusively on supporting justice-involved individuals through trauma-informed, recovery-oriented care during incarceration and in preparation for community reentry.

This is a non-supervisory position that emphasizes direct clinical work—conducting assessments, providing individual and group therapy, and coordinating care for adults with complex behavioral health and substance use needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide individual counseling, group therapy, and psychoeducation to incarcerated individuals enrolled in the ATP.
• Conduct clinical assessments, risk evaluations, and treatment planning based on client needs and criminogenic factors.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, case staffings, and coordination with jail staff and other service providers.
• Offer support and guidance on relapse prevention, emotional regulation, and cognitive restructuring.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation under Medicaid and jail reporting standards.
• Assist with reentry planning, connecting individuals to appropriate community services and supports upon release.
  
  

Preferred Skills And Competencies

• Knowledge of correctional mental health care, behavioral interventions for justice-involved individuals, and addiction treatment models.
• Experience providing services in jail, prison, or forensic settings strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and CBT or MRT approaches.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with jail personnel, medical staff, case managers, and external partners.
• Sensitivity to issues of cultural diversity, reentry challenges, and systemic oppression.
  
  

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a related field.
• Current, unrestricted licensure in New Mexico as one of the following:
• Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
• Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
• Minimum 1 year of experience in addiction recovery, correctional, or community behavioral health settings.
• Proficiency in clinical documentation and Medicaid-compliant billing practices.
• Working knowledge of trauma-informed care, clinical documentation, and Medicaid billing practices.
• Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team inside a secure facility and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
  

Additional Information

• This role is on-site at Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) and requires comfort working in a secure facility.
• Must pass a background check and security clearance required by the jail.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred but not required.
• Training and ongoing clinical support provided.
  
  

Preferred Experience

• Direct service experience in addiction treatment and recovery settings.
• Background in correctional or jail-based mental health programs, particularly serving justice-involved or reentry populations.
• Familiarity with evidence-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT).
• Bilingual in English/Spanish is a plus.